One of the largest and most diverse Energy companies in the UK and Ireland with around 9 million customers and over 19,000 staff. We currently have an exciting permanent opportunity for a Category Manager to join our Procurement & Commercial team for delivery of Mechanical & Electrical ('M&E')-related goods, services and works requirements. A fundamental aspect of this role is to ensure that any SSE group requirements are captured and fulfilled against these categories.

As a Category Manager, you and your team are responsible for conducting internal and external analysis and engage effectively with stakeholders to determine optimum value creation opportunities for that category e.g. sourcing strategies, process improvements, renegotiation strategies, dispute resolution etc. In addition, you will be required to develop relationships and work closely with both internal and external stakeholders to ensure the development and delivery of category strategies that are aligned with corporate and business unit strategies and value drivers

Reporting directly into the Lead Category Manager, the primary function of this role will be to lead a Strategic Procurement Officer in the creation and execution of a category management approach to the procurement of a portfolio of spend to ensure drive efficiencies, mitigate supply and construction risks and drive down the total cost of ownership to the organisation.

You will be responsible for analysing the spend per category to detail opportunities such as; savings, strategic importance to the organisation, level of risk or to simply identify any lack of compliance with the category plan. Accountabilities will also include managing the supplier's ability to comply with their contractual obligations as well as reducing risk and improving sustainability to improve the quality and reliability of the supply chain.

To be successful in applying for this position, you should have a track record of procurement experience within a similar environment, including experience of using NEC Engineering & Construction Contract or equivalent construction form of contract and an excellent understanding of construction risk. You should have a sound understanding and experience of Category Management and its implementation and an ability to secure commitment on actions from all stakeholders.

To be successful in this role, you must be an experienced Procurement professional having completed high value complex tenders. You will have the following skills and experience:

Broad knowledge of contracts with the ability to draft special terms for goods, work and services, dispute procedures, with knowledge of relevant statutory and legal provisions

Be accomplished in negotiating costs and terms & conditions

Be enthusiastic with excellent influencing and stakeholder management skills

Be comfortable communicating at various levels within the business including presentation skills,

Be self-motivated with high self-belief and confidence to challenge the norm and think creatively

Be commercially astute and a confident decision maker

Have strong problem solving skills

Be comfortable working to deadlines, being able to change priorities whilst managing own time effectively

Strong Microsoft Office skills are essential

Benefits

We have an excellent benefits package as part of our offering. Here's a few highlights;

- Generous holiday allowance (you can even buy additional holidays)

- Great share plans

- Group Pension Plan

- One day paid volunteering

- Tailored internal development opportunities

Our role in supporting diversity and inclusionAs an international workforce business, we are committed to sourcing personnel that reflects the diversity and values of our client base but also that of Orion Group. We welcome the wide range of experiences and viewpoints that potential workers bring to our business and our clients, including those based on nationality, gender, culture, educational and professional backgrounds, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disability, and age differences, job classification and religion. In our inclusive workplace, regardless of your employment status as staff or contract, everyone is assured the right of equitable, fair and respectful treatment.